Hodge and His Masters

** "Hodge and His Masters" by Richard Jefferies is a series of reflections on the lives of people in the countryside during a tough time for farming. Jefferies shows us the complicated and often difficult experiences of farmers and farmworkers, exploring how they lived and worked, and the social problems they faced. Key people in the book include farmers, landowners, and laborers, each with their own stories shaped by their work and choices. The scene begins in a lively rural town, focusing on the busy market day and the Jason Inn, where farmers come together. A lecture blaming farmers for their problems because they won't try new farming methods kicks off a heated argument. The book shows the clash between old ways and new ideas, and paints a picture of rural life with all its characters and social issues. **